BILT vs. XLU
BILT (iShares Infrastructure Active ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. BILT is actively managed, while XLU is passively managed. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BILT charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.
Performance
BILT vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BILT achieves a 12.98% return, which is significantly higher than XLU's 6.16% return.
BILT
- 1D
- 0.41%
- 1M
- -1.21%
- YTD
- 12.98%
- 6M
- 13.89%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
XLU
- 1D
- 0.55%
- 1M
- -0.76%
- YTD
- 6.16%
- 6M
- 6.71%
- 1Y
- 14.60%
- 3Y*
- 14.60%
- 5Y*
- 10.41%
- 10Y*
- 9.26%
BILT vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | 12.98% | 4.16% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 6.16% | 1.63% |
Correlation
The correlation between BILT and XLU is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025 | 0.74 |
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Return for Risk
BILT vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank
BILT
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
XLU
BILT vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| BILT | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.18 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 1.60 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 3.39 | — |
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Drawdowns
BILT vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BILT drawdown since its inception was -5.38%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BILT and XLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BILT | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.38% | -51.98% | +46.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -9.18% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -17.26% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -25.26% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -36.07% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.85% | -5.05% | +3.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.44% | -10.22% | +8.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 4.31% | — |
Volatility
BILT vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BILT | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 5.26% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 11.72% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.29% | 14.70% | -4.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.29% | 17.31% | -7.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.29% | 19.28% | -8.99% |
BILT vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
BILT has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
BILT vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
BILT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.77%, more than XLU's 3.30% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | 5.77% | 0.99% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 2.67% | 2.71% | 2.96% | 3.39% | 2.92% | 2.79% | 3.14% | 2.95% | 3.33% | 3.33% | 3.41% | 3.67% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BILT and XLU have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for BILT.
BILT has the higher dividend yield at 5.77%, compared with 3.30% for XLU.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for BILT and 0.08% for XLU.
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